Botswana: A Conservationist's Dream Classroom Past Review
By Benjamin D (University of Vermont) - abroad from 09/14/2013 to 12/08/2013 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program
Perspective on America. Perspective on conservation abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Great courses. Challenging and get you thinking. The ideal education environment. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Tents! Cabins! Under the stars! |
| * Food: |
Camp food - you are your own chef. I learned how to cook some awesome meals with little resources. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Lots of time with local guides and researchers. Some time in cities/towns to interact with locals as much as you want to. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You are in the African bush. Our leaders and administrators made me feel very safe all the time and I never doubted their ability to keep the group safe. These people really know what they are doing and are the ideal group to travel with safely in Botswana. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Hardly any money spent. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can spend as much or as little as you want on extra food, souvenirs, and international phones. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Setswana, some bushmen languages. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You can learn as much Setswana as you want. Take the extra step and really learn it. Speak with locals. They are more than happy to help you and are usually very pleased that an American is interested in learning Setswana. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't pack as much - you only need the bare necessities. |
